Police Dispatcher (Experienced)

City of La Mesa; La Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in public safety is seeking a dedicated Police Dispatcher to join their team. This role is crucial as the dispatcher will handle emergency calls, manage police radio communications, and document activities using advanced computer systems. The ideal candidate will thrive in high-pressure situations, demonstrating exceptional multi-tasking and decision-making abilities. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to serve the community while ensuring public safety. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess the necessary skills, we encourage you to apply today and be part of a tradition of excellence in law enforcement.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in law enforcement dispatching.
• Completion of California P.O.S.T. Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and prioritize emergency calls and dispatch units accordingly.
• Maintain contact with field units and operate public safety communications equipment.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Decision-making

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Team Player

Emotional Maturity

Initiative

Public Service Orientation

Adaptability

Competence under Pressure

Education

High School Diploma

Specialized Training in Communications

Tools

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)

Public Safety Communications Equipment

Computer Terminals

Job description

City of La Mesa -"The Jewel of the Hills"

Announces An Exceptional Career Opportunity

POLICE DISPATCHER

Hiring Incentive Bonus for LATERAL candidates is available now!

Apply Today!

The La Mesa Police Department seeks your interest in a unique career opportunity as a Police Dispatcher. A Police Dispatcher is responsible for all incoming telephone calls to the Police Department, including 9-1-1 calls; handling the Police Radio; and documenting all activities in a computer-aided dispatch program while operating multiple computer systems.

The ideal candidate has the following characteristics and skills:

• Exceptional multi-tasking ability
• Strong decision-making ability in a high stress environment
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness
• A team-player mentality and perspective; adaptable, dependable, and highly productive
• Emotional maturity, patience and a positive attitude
• Shows initiative and professional assertiveness
• A heart to serve the public in a highly rewarding, unique career
• Thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging environment
• Capable of handling the unexpected in a competent manner.

The La Mesa Police Department maintains the highest commitment to the community through service, honor, integrity and professionalism. If you are ready to join our tradition of excellence, we welcome your interest - apply today!

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receive emergency calls from the public requesting police or other emergency service; determine nature, location and priority of calls and dispatch units accordingly; transfer calls to appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures.
• Obtain and dispatch other support services including helicopter support, tactical teams, bomb squad, canine, public works, fire department, medical response, highway patrol and border patrol.
• Maintain contact with all units on assignment through computer aided dispatch; maintain status and location of police field units; maintain computer records of traffic stops and other officer-initiated activity.
• Operate a variety of public safety communications equipment including a multi-channel radio, 911 emergency telephone equipment, computer aided dispatch systems, instant recall recorders, and paging and intercom systems. Type minimum of 40 nwpm.
• Operate computer terminals and teletype machine to enter, modify, and retrieve data such as stolen and recovered property, towed and stolen vehicles, missing and unidentified persons, citations, field interviews, driver license and vehicle registration information, and warrants on wanted persons; compose and transmit messages to other agencies.
• Retrieve information from State and National computer networks regarding wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, stolen vehicles, restraining orders, criminal histories, parolees and other related information; relay information to officers in the field.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on department equipment including dispatch and general office machines; request service and repairs as necessary.
• Perform related duties as required.

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in communications, public safety dispatch or a related field.

Experience:

At least one year experience in a law enforcement agency as an emergency call taker AND radio operator (must be law enforcement dispatching). Experience in operation of a computer aided dispatch system (CAD) is required.

Certificate:

• A California P.O.S.T. Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course certificate is required. For out-of-state applicants, the successful completion of probation as a 9-1-1 Call Taker and Radio Dispatcher from a law enforcement agency is required.

Interested applicants must submit an online application and reply to the application questions. This recruitment will remain open to accepting applications until the needs of the City are met. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. Unless specifically stated otherwise in this announcement, all requirements must be met at the time of application, and all required licenses and certificates must be current and valid.

Candidates who meet minimum qualifications for this position, and whose overall qualifications best meet the needs of the City will be invited to participate in a CritiCall performance aptitude test. Candidates passing the CritiCall test will be invited to an appraisal interview. Selected candidates will begin the background investigation process. The CritiCall test may be waived for candidates accepted for lateral consideration and for candidates who have successfully passed the CritiCall test administered by the City of La Mesa within the last six months.

NOTE: Candidates under consideration for employment must undergo a polygraph examination and successfully pass a thorough background investigation. Refer to the La Mesa Police Department Background Disqualifying Factors. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment P.O.S.T. medical evaluation and psychological evaluation. The medical evaluation includes an alcohol/drug screen.